Trailer Hitch installed!!!

[mcaramb]

Whoo Hoo!

I just got done putting in a factory-perfect looking trailer hitch for my 2001 VX! The dealer said there wasn't one for it, and the custom shops said they couldn't touch it.

$110 dollars and one trip to Wal-Mart later, and I've got a beautiful new trailer hitch behind my car.

Reese makes a universal trailer hitch kit for most cars. The VX of course isn't listed. However, with some easy modifications to both the hitch and the car, you can get it installed easily.

Sorry no photos right now, a bit busy... may post later. I was just excited to share the news :)

PS: It makes the car look great as it fills the void area beneath the bottom of the car that the design seems to lack.

-Mike

[iownvx]

very nicely done. It'd be nice if you could post a picture. Does yours look like Tone's? What's the Part Number? Did you need to drill any holes? Thanks.

[Kahuna]

Awesome buddy, Tell us everything! Part number, make and who and what mods did you have to do.

[VX1]

I bought this hitch (Reese #37042) and couldn't make it work. What stopped me is, it seems my passenger side tow hook is welded on:

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Tow_hook_welded.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Tow_hook_welded.JPG)

I took the bolt out of the driver's side one and it fell off fine, but when I took the bolt out of the other, the hook wasn't going anywhere. For those with hitches, did anybody run across this problem?

I think I could have got this hitch to work, if that hook would come off. Even the Dalan/Curt #12556 and the Reese #757235 that are supposed to fit the VehiCross require that those be removed. I just don't understand why or how mine could be welded on (original owner/no wrecks).

U-Haul quoted me $357.18 installed with wiring and ball, which is more than I wanted to spend, but I'd imagine even they couldn't get it on if that tow hook won't come off. I know Tone's is my other option, but I'm really not looking forward to that installation, and besides, my new Sea-Doo Speedster will be in soon.

Anybody got a welded tow hook?

-Scott

[psychos2]

I believe there are 2 bolts holding that hook on. One on the bottom and one on the side. shawn

[crager34]

I have had 2 VX's and used Tone's hitch on both of them. The installation only took a couple hours if you have all the tools with you, and it looks great on. It doesn't look like something hanging down from under the rear, rather an extension of it.

[VX1]

Sorry, turned out the hook was not welded on, but had two extra bolts way up on the end of the frame. The only way to get to them was to take the rear cladding off.

I got the hitch put on, but would NOT recommend it to a friend. I invested 16 hours last weekend to get it on properly. If I knew I would have to do half of what I did to get this on, I would have gone with Tone's from the start. This still involved cutting metal, drilling (of course), and cutting cladding.

On the plus side (besides $110), the kit has brackets that bolt onto the truck, then the hitch bolts onto the brackets, so now that the brackets are firmly in place, it would be just a five minute process to take off the hitch or put it back on, if I'm worried about ground clearance. I agree with someone's comment that it looks aggressive and fills in a void down there, so I don't mind leaving it on, but Tone's would have looked nice too.

http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Reese_tow_hitch_3.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Reese_tow_hitch_3.JPG)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Reese_tow_hitch_1.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Reese_tow_hitch_1.JPG)
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Reese_tow_hitch_2.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Reese_tow_hitch_2.JPG)

(probably should have pulled out of the garage to get a better picture, but it was about to rain)

-Scott

[kpaske]

You live and learn, right? It looks great. I used to think the Dylan hitch looked really nice, although I was concerned about losing some ground clearance in the rear. In retrospect, I'm glad I chose to use Tone's hitch. The simple look is really nice, and the install was a snap.

[VX1]

Is it possible to attract even more attention than the VX? Try the VX towing one of these!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Speedster_1.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Speedster_1.JPG)

[Ascinder]

If anyone has been thinking about getting a hitch put on, I just got a Curt brute hitch(class 2.5?) on sale from etrailer.com for $156 shipped. They are the powder coated tube type (I think similar to Tones)and are bolt on for the VX.

[nfpgasmask]

Hey, I am going to need one real soon as I am planning to buy a quad. I was planning to go with Tone's hitch because I like how it looks stock and doesn't hang below the cladding. Once you get yours installed, let me know. I was to see it!

Bart


If anyone has been thinking about getting a hitch put on, I just got a Curt brute hitch(class 2.5?) on sale from etrailer.com for $156 shipped. They are the powder coated tube type (I think similar to Tones)and are bolt on for the VX.

[Ascinder]

No problem Bart!! After looking at it a little more, I think it may be the same one as Tones. His is listed as a curt/dylan, but looking at this one, it appears identical. I don't know if I am going to wire in a harness just yet let alone a brake controller, as I plan on just using it to maybe mount a bike carrier or some such. I think it should take about a week to get here, and since it just bolts on with 6 bolts, it should be pretty quick. I'll PM you once I set it up.

[nfpgasmask]

Cool, we can PM CrnCnn too and have another Reno-Mini-Meet.

Bart


No problem Bart!! After looking at it a little more, I think it may be the same one as Tones. His is listed as a curt/dylan, but looking at this one, it appears identical. I don't know if I am going to wire in a harness just yet let alone a brake controller, as I plan on just using it to maybe mount a bike carrier or some such. I think it should take about a week to get here, and since it just bolts on with 6 bolts, it should be pretty quick. I'll PM you once I set it up.

[Ascinder]

Hey, I am going to need one real soon as I am planning to buy a quad. I was planning to go with Tone's hitch because I like how it looks stock and doesn't hang below the cladding. Once you get yours installed, let me know. I was to see it!

OK here's the hitch shots.


http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/PICT0236.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/PICT0236.JPG)http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/thumbs/PICT0233.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/2/PICT0233.JPG)

[rowhard]

Now you can do a side by side, or in this case top and bottom comparision if you wonder about ground clearance.
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/IMG_0001.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/IMG_0001.JPG)

[Xanthos]

hi,
Has anyone seen these new fibreglass trailers, the Blade Micros?
Take a look at the gallery, would love to know what you think!
Greghttp://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/silver_trailer.jpg (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/silver_trailer.jpg)

[Moncha]

Greg, just to give the benefit of the doubt, make sure this is not spam. I'll give you this one, only because it's somewhat related to the thread... If you have something to peddle to this site, it is customary to ask the Admin before posting or risk being banned.

[Lizardmen3477]

Thanks for the info Ascinder i have looking for a hitch for a bit. I think i like th eone from etrailer.com i am going to buy today awesome!

[mcaramb]

Hey VX1, great job! That's the exact same hitch I used!

Sorry guys for not *ever* getting back to this thread I started. To tell you the truth I got way sidetracked right after I posted and forgot to come back and post pics, etc... thanks VX1 for posting the great pics!

I agree, it was a bit of a chore to install. Cutting the heavy metal in the Reese hitch was the most difficult bit. Also, having to drill and tap a second hole on each side in the VX's undercarriage wasn't fun either. Cutting the cladding made me cringe as well, but it's the cuts aren't obvious unless you're under the car ;)

Thus, I ended up with two bolts on each side, firmly mounting the hitch to the body. Also, I had to take it off after a year or so to repaint as rust creeped in on the hitch where I had cut it.

Still looks great, and is a very useful mod. You won't get a more heavy duty hitch anywhere.

-Mike

[AndyC]

:p Been towing mine for a few years now ;)



Is it possible to attract even more attention than the VX? Try the VX towing one of these!
http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/thumbs/Speedster_1.JPG (http://www.vehicross.info/gallery/data/500/Speedster_1.JPG)

[tom4bren]

I just finished installing Tone's hitch on mine and it turned out great. KUDOS Tone.

[nfpgasmask]

Yup, Tone's hitch is fantastic, but it is no fun to install! :)

Bart


I just finished installing Tone's hitch on mine and it turned out great. KUDOS Tone.

[tom4bren]

It was labor intensive but actually not that difficult. The only problem I had was when I removed the tail skirt, I broke 2 of the mounting flanges. Thank God for PC-7. If I hadn't told you nobody would have ever known.

It did take longer than the 4 hours indicated but that was because 1) I'm slow. 2) My drill with the 1/2 inch chuck is cordless and the battery was dead. 3) I'm slow. 4) My Brother-in-law helped & he's slow-er

[nfpgasmask]

For me, it was the side cladding torque screws that were a whore to get off. Other than that, yeah, just a little labor intensive, but that is fine with me.

Its a great, solid hitch, and it looks sweet too.

Bart


It was labor intensive but actually not that difficult. The only problem I had was when I removed the tail skirt, I broke 2 of the mounting flanges. Thank God for PC-7. If I hadn't told you nobody would have ever known.

It did take longer than the 4 hours indicated but that was because 1) I'm slow. 2) My drill with the 1/2 inch chuck is cordless and the battery was dead. 3) I'm slow. 4) My Brother-in-law helped & he's slow-er

[tom4bren]

those "the side cladding torque screws" you mentioned were the ones that went through tail skirt flanges I broke off on the passenger side.

[tom4bren]

BTW - finished product. SWEET!

[cyronman]

I got my rear hitch step bar thing today, and I'll be getting a bike rack next week, now all I need is the hitch!

So, to double check...IS IT or is it NOT necessary to remove the cladding OR cut it to install the Curt (non-Tone) hitch?
I've been leaning in it's favor a little but if the install work is similar, I might just go for Tone's.

Thanks!

[Ascinder]

Install is fairly similar for both. I have the Curt and what you have to do regarding the cladding is remove several of the rear cladding torx screws and pull on the cladding to get a tool in there if I remember correctly in oder to take it off. I also had to take a pair of needle-nose pliers and peel back some metal in the frame mount area in order to be able to fish in the mount bolts for the hitch. You will also need a large power drill to drill the holes for the hitch. I think the shank on the one I used was larger than the standard 3/8" size. It's a good idea to plan on more time than you think it will take. I haven't done any trailer wiring on mine, so I can't help you there.

[IndianaVX]

i have looked, and im confused......which hitch fits behind the cladding so that only the socket is exposed?? one of the two available from tone, or the curt??
this is something im wanting to do badly, but im wanting mine behind the cladding.
not meant to be a hijack........
thanks
david

[cyronman]

i have looked, and im confused......which hitch fits behind the cladding so that only the socket is exposed?? one of the two available from tone, or the curt??david

David-

Tone had one made, or modified, "specifically" for the VX in which only the receiver pokes out of the cladding. A lot of owners are very pleased with the looks, stating only a time-consuming/pesky install process.

The Curt hitch bolts on underneath, which some owners don't like strictly for the looks of.

Tone sells both.

I was considering the Curt hitch simply because of an offer on a used one and because it seemed easier to install...but that might not be the case afterall.
From what Ascinder describes, even this one isn't just an easy add on.

[etlsport]

not to take away from tones sale.. but spike was telling me the other day that he is going to get a hitch installed by u-haul.. they use the curt hitch as far as i can tell... and they include wiring and a lifetime warranty against rust... i beleive he said 200-250... they did kinda jack up his wiring though (top brake light flashes with the hazards and when the brakes arent on the tail lights flash with the turn signals

[HotFlyer]

Hi,
I have a U-Haul hitch. Installed 4 years ago. Went to 6 different U-Haul dealers and got 6 different prices. Went with cheapest and ended up installing it myself at U-Haul. The mechanic didn't know what he was doing!!!

Got a refund on the price of the installation!

Howard(0761)

[tom4bren]

U-Haul installed a trailer hitch on my Eclipse. I can't complain - clean install - no problems. It must be a U-Haul thing though - I ended up doing as much of the install as the Tech did.

For the VX application, I much prefer Tone's. It's clean & strong. My wiring stays tucked nicely in the jack storage compartment until I need it, then it just snakes nicely under the door.

Like I said, CLEAN!!!

With that big ol spare on the back door, no one even notices it. :p

[10spro]

I went with the Reese universal hitch when i found one at Lowes for $50 and it included 2 brackets as well. I was hoping to see a better picture for where the mounting holes should go. I may not have the correct brackets with mine. I was considering using the bolt that goes under the fuel tank shield as one of the mounts by just sliding the bracket underneath it and then drilling through the Reese bracket where the other mounting hole already is. Any adice or pics are greatly appreciated.

[etlsport]

the one designed for the vx requires you to remove the rear tow points and then it bolts up to the mounting holes for those, no drilling required

[Solitude]

This is a Hitch I had installed by Uhaul.. awesome skid help

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And ya.. itsa Dragon